Morphologic Evaluation of Cervical and Lumbar Facet Joints: Intra‐Articular Facet Block Considerations

Abstract

Knowledge of the quantitative anatomy of the facets may help improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. These data also may aid in constructing more realistic computer simulations.

A Prospective Study Comparing Platelet‐Rich Plasma and Local Anesthetic (LA)/Corticosteroid in Intra‐Articular Injection for the Treatment of Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome

“…The combination of clinical factors and radiologic findings may be helpful for the initial diagnosis of lumbar facet joint syndrome, but it is limited and unreliable . Consequently, although the false‐positive rate of a single diagnostic block is as high as 38%, it is still generally accepted that invasive diagnostic blocks (intra‐articular blocks or medial branch blocks) are the most reliable methods for diagnosing lumbar facet joints as low back pain generators . For these reasons, we used the comprehensive criteria of clinical factors and radiologic findings for the initial diagnosis of lumbar facet joint syndrome, and applied diagnostic blocks for the confirmed diagnosis.…”

Ultrasound-guided versus Computed Tomography-controlled facet joint injections in the middle and lower cervical spine: a prospective randomized clinical trial

“…Facet joints are well innervated by the medial branches of the dorsal rami and contain free and encapsulated nerve endings, nociceptors and mechanoreceptors [4]. They have been shown to be a source of pain in the neck and related pain in the head and upper extremities [5][6][7][8][9][10]. In 2% to 10% of the cases, facet-joint-associated pain results in incapacity to perform daily activities.…”

Quantitative morphometric analysis of the lumbar vertebral facets and evaluation of feasibility of lumbar spinal nerve root and spinal canal decompression using the Goel intraarticular facetal spacer distraction technique: A lumbar/cervical facet comparison

“…[ 6 ] Radiological imaging shows an error of 5-23° in the estimation of facet joint angles as compared to actual measured angles. [ 7 ]…”